OPERA America draws on resources and expertise from within and beyond the opera field to advance a mutually beneficial agenda that serves and strengthens the field through programs in the following categories:

Creation: Artistic services that help artists and companies increase the creativity and excellence of opera productions, especially North American works;

Presentation: Opera company services that address the specific needs of staff, trustees and volunteers;

Enjoyment: Education, audience development and community services that increase all forms of opera appreciation.

New York City is home to the nation’s largest concentration of performing and creative artists, professional training institutions and music businesses. A majority of OPERA America’s Professional Company Members hold or attend auditions in New York City annually, and opera leaders from Europe and around the world are regular visitors.

In response to the pressing need for appropriate space in New York by members who suffered from the lack of good audition and work facilities in the city, OPERA America created the National Opera Center. The Opera Center serves many functions that support the artistic and economic vitality of the field by providing its constituents with a range and level of services never before possible.

OPERA America serves the entire opera field through research, publications and services. We work daily to facilitate the creation, performance and enjoyment of opera throughout North America. Much of what we do is made possible through generous contributions from opera lovers like you.

Many boards spend considerable time defining the board's role in securing adequate resources for the organization. Personal financial contribution should be an essential part of that discussion. Each board should determine its own personal giving policy. For fundraising boards, the target should be to reach 100 percent board member participation.

Why should board members give?
Board members of most charitable organizations are expected to participate in fundraising. The board is responsible for providing a sound financial basis for the organization and by personally contributing, a board member recognizes this responsibility and demonstrates a commitment. A fundraising appeal is particularly convincing if a board member uses him or herself as an exemplary donor. Many foundations only contribute to organizations where every board member is a contributor. And surveys show that nearly 90 percent of American households contribute to charities. Each board member should designate his or her own organization as one of the main recipients of his or her generosity.

Giving policies
The board should draft a fundraising and personal giving policy. A strong leader during the decision-making process — a sensitive peer who is in a good position to make the case — can help find a consensus among board members. As the decision affects each board member individually, it is necessary to create a policy that can be enforced. To avoid any misunderstandings and false expectations, every board candidate should be familiar with these policies.

How much is enough?
It is probably not a good idea to ask each board member to make an equal contribution. Some board candidates might find the amount too high; therefore eliminating valuable prospects from joining the board. Other members may have considered contributing more, but a lower suggested amount could change their minds. The policy could set a range, suggesting a minimum amount and/or encourage each member to give generously according to his or her means. One set of guidelines may not be appropriate for every board.

Additional options
Some boards tie fundraising and personal giving closely together. For example, each board member is asked to bring in $5,000. It is up to the individual board member to raise the funds or make a personal contribution. Many performing arts boards, besides setting a base contribution level, want board members to purchase season tickets and bring guests to performances. In other types of organizations, board members could be asked to buy memberships for others, subscribe to the organization's journals, or purchase publications as gifts. Board members could pay their own registration fees for conferences. They could support special events by purchasing auction tickets or donating items to an auction or a sale.

How to make board members deliver
Some boards ask their members to pledge a certain amount for the year or have them sign a letter of intent. The board chair or the chair of the development committee keeps track of the contributions and contacts any member who seems to have forgotten the pledge. Vigilant board chairs share the track records of individual board members with the rest of the board, thus increasing the 'public' pressure. When 100 percent of the board members have fulfilled their promises, the entire board celebrates. As long as there is a policy in place, there must be a method of making it work.

Statistics
According to a recent BoardSource survey, 68 percent of nonprofit organizations have a policy requiring board members to make a personal contribution on an annual basis. Boards average 74 percent participation in giving; however, on the average only 46 percent boards had 100 percent participation. In the arts and cultural organizations it is more common to find required annual contributions.

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